World Cerebral Palsy Day is on October 6 – a time for people across the world to take action to help spread awareness about cerebral palsy. Read on to know more!
Every year on October 6, patients with cerebral palsy disease, their families, and the organisations that support them come together to celebrate World Cerebral Palsy Day and campaign for the same opportunities, accessibility, and rights as other people.
Around 17 million people worldwide suffer with cerebral palsy disease, a condition that has no known treatment and primarily affects children/youngsters who must live with it for the rest of their lives.
On World Cerebral Palsy Day 2022, we will honour the lives of those affected by cerebral palsy, give them strong voices, act as a catalyst for social change and solutions, and create meaningful actions and results that will improve their quality of life.
About World Cerebral Palsy Day
The Cerebral Palsy Alliance, a nonprofit organisation located in Australia, and United Cerebral Palsy, a company based in the United States, established World Cerebral Palsy Day in 2012. It began as an innovation campaign called “Change My World in 1 Minute,” which solicited suggestions from people all around the world for innovations that could improve the quality of life for people with cerebral palsy.
The major goal of the event was to gather suggestions for new ideas and technologies that could improve the lives of cerebral palsy patients or at the very least make them more comfortable.
Over time, the movement saw an increase in the number of groups collaborating to promote research, studies, and inventions that would make life easier for people with cerebral palsy.
The movement began to gain traction around the year 2015 and is now focused on six major concerns that affect people with cerebral palsy disease regardless of their geography, culture, or economic background.
Understanding Cerebral Palsy Disease
Cerebral palsy is the most prevalent physical condition affecting children. It is a birth injury/ atypical brain development that affects movement and coordination. There are currently 17 million people living with cerebral palsy worldwide.
Despite this, there is little knowledge of cerebral palsy. It’s complicated, to begin with. The signs and severity of this birth injury can vary greatly from slight weakening of a single limb to total loss of movement.
The special needs associated with cerebral palsy therapy (such as wheelchairs, speech aids, and hearing aids) can improve life quality depending on the patient’s individual conditions. Some people require constant help all day long.
The fact that cerebral palsy is usually preventable is another topic that only a few people really know about. A birth injury brought on by medical negligence or subpar treatment given during pregnancy or childbirth can result in cerebral palsy. There is currently no treatment available and there is nothing that can be done to undo these grave errors.
But it’s vital to keep in mind that cerebral palsy therapy and support can enable affected individuals to lead fulfilling lives. Too many people continue to use inadequate cerebral palsy medications or struggle without access to basic services.
How You Can Participate in World Cerebral Palsy Day 2022?
You can participate in World Cerebral Palsy Day 2022 in a variety of ways. Start by looking up activities in your neighbourhood. Events including walks and runs, festivals, conferences, and educational drives are held annually by cerebral palsy organisations to inform the public about the dangers and precautions against the condition.
Other ways to participate are as follows:
- Posting your experience with cerebral palsy on the World Cerebral Palsy Day website as well as any successful cerebral palsy medications or treatments you may have found to be helpful to others.
- Raising awareness about the problems and fighting for disability rights and dealing with this condition on social media.
- Making a contribution to a cerebral palsy organisation or participating in fundraising activity.
Conclusion
This World Cerebral Palsy Day, we want you to remember that even small contributions can have a significant impact. People who have cerebral palsy occasionally just need to know that someone is there for them. Use your voice and contribute in ways that are most appropriate for you.
We can only raise awareness of the needs of people coping with this difficult disease by working together.
